The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Carol Montana

LIBERTY, NY (November 16, 2011) – The Principals: M&M Auto Group, Hilltop Homes, the Marine Corps League, Sullivan County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Thunder 102 Radio, and other businesses, organizations and service groups throughout Sullivan County.

The Location: M&M Auto Group, Mill Street in Liberty and Sullivan County.

The Mission: Make sure that no child in Sullivan County goes without a toy for the holidays.

On Saturday, November 12, the showroom at M&M Auto Group on Mill Street in Liberty was turned into a holiday wonderland as the elves and Santa’s helpers from Hilltop Homes in Monticello put up Christmas trees, big and small, decorated them with lights and ornaments, and hung stars and snowflakes from the ceiling. Outside the showroom was the Hilltop Express decorated with red, white and green balloons.

The occasion was the start of the “No Child in Thunder Country Should be Without a Toy for the Holidays” campaign, which will benefit the Toys for Tots program and Sullivan County CASA.

  As the decorating picked up speed, people starting stopping by with new unwrapped toys to place by the sleigh in the center of the showroom.

One of the biggest donations on Saturday came from the Sullivan County ATV Association, delivered by Michael and Kerry Cooper (pictured in front of the sleigh). The donation of over 40 toys came from an ATV ride conducted by the club, which, in the 14 years since Mike founded the group, has donated over $160,000 to the families of children with special medical needs. 

Although it seemed early to start the campaign, Paul Ciliberto from Thunder 102 Radio explained that, “We wanted to start early because we know the need is going to be even greater this year than in past years.”

And on Saturday, they did indeed start early. Dave Dunlap from Hilltop Homes joked that he was “cracking the whip starting at 4:30 a.m.”

In addition to the trees and gifts, Paper Angel Cards are for sale to benefit Sullivan County CASA. The name for the cards is taken from the new novel written by country singer Jimmy Wayne, the national CASA spokesperson. The book tells the story of a man who’s life is changed because of the paper angel he chooses form an Angel Tree.

Wayne was a recipient of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree campaign. "Had it not been for those people sponsoring me and my sister, we wouldn’t have gotten anything for Christmas ever."

Howard Braunstein of M&M Auto Group explained that "It’s all about the spirit of giving. … We have big and small trees in the showroom being decorated, and it’s our hope that some organizations, some businesses, some groups get together to sponsor the tree. And that organization can choose their own needy family to provide this tree for in time for the holiday season, fully decorated, make sure it gets delivered, along with some presents. …”

To help with the campaign, visit M&M Auto Group showroom on Mill Street in Liberty with a new unwrapped toy. The showroom is open during business hours until Christmas. Other drop-off locations will be available soon.

For more information about the “No Child in Thunder Country Should be Without a Toy for the Holidays” campaign, go to Thunder 102 website, and click on the Toys for Tots logo. There you can find out where to drop off toys, and how to sign up if you need toys for a non-profit group, or if you need toys for your family. Or visit the M&M Auto Group website or call them at 845-292-3500.

And this just in … Santa will be back at the M&M Auto Group on Friday November 25 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. and again on Saturday November 26 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Stop on by and get your picture taken with Santa for a $10 donation that can go to Toys for Tots or Sullivan County CASA!

To see more photos or to purchase prints from "No Child Should be Without a Toy for the Holidays," visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.